U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he will vote against the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the nominee to serve a lifetime appointment on the United States Supreme Court and released this statement a short time ago:

“I have concerns that Judge Kavanaugh defended the PATRIOT Act instead of Montanans’ privacy. I have concerns about his support for more dark money in politics. I have concerns about who he believes is in charge of making personal health decisions. And I have deep concerns about the allegations of sexual assault against Judge Kavanaugh. Unfortunately, Judge Kavanaugh couldn’t find time to discuss these concerns with me in person, so the only information I have is from what he said in his hearings. I’ll be voting against him.”

Judge Kavanaugh helped the Bush Administration craft a program of mass domestic surveillance. He ruled in favor of increased government surveillance under the PATRIOT Act in Klayman v. Obama.

Tester requested a meeting with Judge Kavanaugh numerous times, but the White House refused to commit to a specific date and time.

Tester received thousands of emails and calls from Montanans about Judge Kavanaugh, a majority of which were opposed to his nomination.

On the other hand, Senator Daines called the victims of sexual assault a “smear campaign” against Brett Kavanaugh.

Join citizens, local leaders, legislators and more all over Montana will be gathering outside the Senate offices of Senator Steve Daines on Friday, September 28th at 12:15 pm to protest the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Daines must retract his remarks that this is a “smear campaign” and he must vote “NO” on Brett Kavanaugh.